β‘ A TUTORIAL FOR GRAPHIC + GIF
I was requested by PotterRPH {I believe} to do a tutorial for this graphic [here]. Though I won't recreating that picture, I will be doing something similar. If you have any questions, please message me. I hope you find this tutorial helpful!
What you are going to need
A Graphic Manipulation Program - I'll be using Photoshop CS6
A simple graphic like [this]
A GIF like [this]
Various textures, PSD's and whatever else you want to add.
Step One
Okay! Let's start this tutorial! First of all, you are going to want to open both your image and your GIF. For right now, it doesn't matter what size they are, we are going to mess with the sizes later. We need to get these images ready to go. Do all of your sharpening and adjustments now - however you do them. I'm just going to do mine really quick. Here is what they look like once they are done.
Step Two
Now that we have done our adjustments and what not - DON'T THEY LOOK PRETTY! - we are going to put them together. YAY! This part is pretty simple. First, go to your main graphic, we need to check out graphic size. Go to Image > Image Size... that will give you your image size; click cancel or okay without changing the image size. Now, go to your GIF and we to Image > Canvas Size... change either the height or the width (it depends on if your graphic is wider or higher than your GIF). Make sure you put your GIF at the bottom of the new canvas size. Once you have done that, it's on to the next step!
Step Three
This part is pretty simple. Just drag and drop your graphic onto your GIF. Make sure your graphic is on top of all your other layers so that if you play your GIF, none of it will be showing. Make sure that your graphic is centered. Your new graphic + gif and layers should look like the example below.
Step Four
Now that we have our graphics combined, now we need to move some somethings around. For this purpose, I like to move my graphic below my first GIF layer - I know, counter productive because it was at the top. Moving it to the bottom will allow us to see where we need to move the graphic, and where we need to crop stuff. So do that. Then we are going to move our graphic layer around, as well as moving our GIF around until we get both graphics to where we want them. Once you have them where you want them, then you are going to crop the image, just like I have it below. For this graphic, I cropped it to the size of the base graphic - so 450px (w) x 320px (h).
Step Five
So for this step, you are going to want to go to your pen tool [x]. Now, this will work best with a GIF that doesn't move around too much. But if it does, go to your very last frame and begin cutting out the actual moving part - in this case, I will be cutting out just Rue's head, or roughly around her head. The reason I prefer using the pen tool is because it allows me to easily make the edges feathered. Once you have made your selection and decided on a feather distance (I chose 2px), move your base graphic layer above the GIF layers. With that selection still made, hit delete - make sure your base graphic layer is selected! Now you should be able to see a part of your GIF!
Step Six - ALTERNATIVE
Okay, so after I did my cut, I just didn't like it, sooooo I decided to go a different route. Take your eraser tool [x], and make sure that it is on a fuzzy circle thing [x]. Now, you should have a pretty good idea of where the main GIF is - simply erase parts of the main graphic you don't want. This could work for other GIF's that move a bit - though it could be a bit harder, and you may have to go frame by frame. Since my GIF doesn't move around a lot, this method was a lot easier. For the sample graphic (the one with Ksenia Solo and the wolf howling), it was easier to cut out the image of the wolf - I was also working with a bigger graphic. Here is the improved graphic using the eraser method.
Step Seven
Now here comes the fun part! Add as many PSD's and textures that you want - let your creative eye be your guide! This is where you can add text, change the colors, whatever the hell you want to do! If you think it looks good, then by all means, go for it! Who cares if no one else likes your graphics, as long as you are happy with them. And that is pretty much it! I hope you found this tutorial useful - if so, I would love a heart! If you have any more requests or questions, feel free to message me and I will get back to you as soon as I can!
